Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has hailed Monday's ruling of the Federal High Court in Osogbo dismissing an application seeking tenure elongation for local government chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the judgment as a victory for constitutional order and the rule of law.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke said the court's decision affirmed the position that tenure elongation for elected officials is unconstitutional and aligned with existing judicial precedents.
The governor congratulated what he described as the state's "authentic elected chairmen," arguing that the judgment confirmed that the tenure of the APC "Yes/No" chairmen had expired in October 2025.
According to Adeleke, the court also ruled that the affected chairmen lacked the legal standing to institute the suit seeking an extension of their tenure.
Following the judgment, the governor called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Osun State Police Command to withdraw support and security protection allegedly being provided to the chairmen occupying local government secretariats.
He specifically urged the Commissioner of Police in the state to discontinue security coverage for what he termed the "illegal occupation" of council offices.
Adeleke also turned his attention to local government finances, calling on the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to halt what he described as collaboration with the affected chairmen. He referenced an affidavit reportedly filed by the bank, which he said indicated that all local government funds remained intact.
The governor demanded that the funds be fully secured and accounted for and urged that legally recognised signatories be granted access to the local government accounts to facilitate the payment of workers, pensioners and other beneficiaries.
He further appealed to law enforcement agencies to support what he called the immediate restoration of duly elected local government chairmen across the state.
On the separate ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja deregistering some political parties, Adeleke criticised the judgment, describing it as an affront to the authority of the Court of Appeal and a threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
The governor said his legal team had already initiated steps to challenge the ruling, maintaining that the Court of Appeal had earlier stayed proceedings on the matter pending further hearing in October.
Expressing confidence that the judgment would not stand, Adeleke assured supporters that the Accord Party would remain on the ballot for the August 15 election.
He urged residents of the state to remain calm and focused, insisting that efforts to derail his re-election bid had failed.
The governor also announced that the party's campaign flag-off rally would hold on Tuesday, calling on supporters to turn out in large numbers.
"We will not be distracted. We remain focused on winning," Adeleke said, expressing optimism that his administration would secure another term through what he described as the support of the people and divine grace.
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